The present write-up highlighted how to decide the research topic for a Ph.D., this write-up is essentially useful for those who want to join the Ph.D. program. Or who have got admission and are in the synopses preparation stage. The students after passing the Ph.D. entrance confront plenty of difficulties while deciding the research topic. It is one of the wearisome times for the new students. They utilize a cluster of potential in imagining the choice of topic. Initially, the Students do not have any clue about the selection of the topic. The central task that needs to be done is the choice of the subject area specialization according to the interest of the candidate. After knowing the specialization then the next move is to find the problem for the study. For choosing the topic or research problem one has to study the publications available online and offline linked to the research problem directly or indirectly. The reason for this survey of the literature is to find how critical work has been done in the particular area. This gives a candidate a mental picture of his chosen area.
This survey of literature also helps a candidate in finding the research gaps. Furthermore, the other benefits of a survey of literature as described by Jeffrey W. Knopf areas:
It gives a general overview of the body of research with which students are not familiar.
The survey of the literature reveals what has already been done in the respective field.
The most important survey of literature gives candidate new ideas which later a candidate could use these ideas in the research.
This survey of literature also helps the candidates where there are flaws in existing research and it also enables them to place the research in a larger context.
Hence after the comprehensive literature review, the candidate would be able to find the new ideas related to the topic as i mentioned above which later on he or she can select as a research topic as per these novel ideas. Therefore, the first responsibility in choosing the topic is doing an extensive literature review. Instantly the question mounts of how this review of literature is done? And what is it? Its answer is the candidate needs to study all the published relevant scholarly work in the respective field and cultivate a deep insight into the particular area. The reservoirs of the literature review are different online research paper websites, libraries, etc. But the candidate should know how this review of iterature is done for this the candidate needs to read any authentic research methodology book intensely. However, the fundamental aspects that must be in mind while doing the review of the literature are the candidate need to glance and study the title of the paper, objectives of the paper, Research design of the paper, and its conclusion. These are the components of the study where a candidate needs absolute focus.
Factors that need to keep in mind in selecting Topic:
Availability of literature: the candidates need to look at how much literature is available on the particular topic. Sometimes it has been experienced that students choose topics but after some time when they reach the synopsis stage, they find a dearth of literature which makes them stressed. Time Duration: It is usually seen that the candidates are attracted to comprehensive topics that need a lot of time. Initially, the candidates are extra motivated but it is seen with time the quantity of motivation diminishes steadily. We all know the Ph.D. program has limited time.
Hence candidates need to select that topic that can be completed in time. After that, if the candidate wants he or she can write further on the topic in the form of publications for research journals.
Health and budget
This is also one of the factors that need to be examined while deciding the topic. Seldom students are not habitual with trips and traveling due to health concerns. So, he or she needs to select that topic by which her or his health does not deteriorate. Moreover, the budget point should also be in mind. Several times the students are not receiving any funding while doing the Ph.D. Actually what happens, in reality, is the candidates are in dilemma and are very stressed while selecting their research topic because. Most of the time nobody has told them the reliable method of selecting the topic. Or if even they know the process they remain in an escape mood and want others to recommend them. This approach in my opinion is not a healthy habit to commence research. Instead of their interest, the students ask their seniors or teachers to suggest the topic for them. Seldom do the seniors and the teachers recommend the topic but the next difficulty faced by these types of students is how to go for this topic further to develop a full outline. This resulted in many more questions being grown in the mind of students like what would be the research objectives? Research questions and research methodology and what type of sampling and test.
These all above-mentioned questions were always stuck in the neurons in the newcomers who escape the systematic way. Therefore the simple way to select the topic for the Ph.D. or any other project is to study the area very extensively and find the knowledge gap. Second, the candidates need to discuss with the field experts to know their viewpoints and comments.
Author is a research scholar, and can be mailed at farooqmajeed19@gmail.com
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